Michael Ketterer - One Who Lives Lyrics
Lyrics
For the One who lives
And the God who reigns
Your children give You glory
Your children breathe Your praise
Messiah, Messiah
Your children know Your name
Messiah, Messiah
We fall before Your fame
For the One who lives
And the God who reigns
Your children give You glory
Your children breathe Your praise
Your children give You glory
Your children breathe Your praise
Messiah, Messiah
Your children know Your name
Messiah, Messiah
We fall before Your fame
At the mention of Your name
Every knee will bow, every tongue confess
You are kind and loving, You are Lord of all
At the mention of Your name
Every knee will bow, every tongue confess
You are strong in power, You are Lord of all
At the mention of Your name
Every knee will bow, every tongue confess
No other God can stand before You, You are Lord of all
At the mention of Your name
Every knee will bow, every tongue confess
You are kind and loving, You are Lord of all
We fall before Your throne
Now and forever
Our King eternal
We magnify
[x8]
Video
One Who Lives
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael Ketterer's 2014 release, "One Who Lives," is a powerful declaration of faith that immediately immerses the listener in an atmosphere of profound reverence and adoration. The song's core message is a fervent tribute to God, focusing on His eternal existence and supreme authority. From the opening lines, it's clear that this is not simply a song of praise, but a theological statement built upon foundational biblical truths. The repeated affirmation, "For the One who lives and the God who reigns," echoes the divine self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God declares, "I AM WHO I AM," signifying His uncreated, eternal nature. The ensuing lines, "Your children give You glory, Your children breathe Your praise," speak to the inherent purpose of believers – to reflect the glory of their Creator and to live lives that are a continuous act of worship, as Paul urges in Romans 12:1, to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
The recurring invocation of "Messiah" is a direct acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's role as the Anointed One, the Savior prophesied throughout Scripture. The phrase "Your children know Your name" points to the intimate relationship believers have with God, a knowledge that goes beyond mere intellectual recognition and encompasses a deep, personal understanding fostered by the Holy Spirit. The powerful image of falling before His fame is deeply rooted in biblical accounts of encountering the divine presence, such as Isaiah's vision in the temple where he cried out, "Woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5). This response of humble awe and recognition of one's own unworthiness in the face of God's majesty is central to the song's emotional arc.
The song then dramatically escalates its theological weight by referencing a future prophecy: "At the mention of Your name, every knee will bow, every tongue confess." This is a direct quotation and elaboration of Philippians 2:10-11, which states, "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Ketterer masterfully weaves this eschatological truth into the present act of worship, reminding listeners of the ultimate triumph and universal sovereignty of God. The declarations that God is "kind and loving" and "strong in power" are essential attributes of God, as revealed throughout the Psalms and the teachings of Jesus. The emphasis on "Lord of all" underscores His absolute dominion, a truth proclaimed in 1 Timothy 6:15, where Christ is called "the King of kings and Lord of lords." The firm assertion that "No other God can stand before You" is a resounding affirmation of monotheism, a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian faith, echoing passages like Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
The concluding section, "We fall before Your throne, Now and forever, Our King eternal, We magnify," serves as a profound surrender and an unending commitment. The imagery of falling before the throne signifies submission and worship, a posture of humility and dependence. The assurance that this devotion is "Now and forever" speaks to the eternal nature of God and the everlasting covenant He has established with His people. The title "Our King eternal" reinforces the timeless reign of God, a concept deeply explored in passages like Psalm 93:2, "Your throne is established of old; You are from everlasting." The repeated command to "magnify" God is an invitation to exalt Him, to make Him appear great in our lives and in the world, a theme that resonates throughout the book of Psalms. In its entirety, "One Who Lives" is a meticulously crafted anthem that draws directly from the wellspring of Scripture, offering a rich and inspiring reflection on the character and sovereignty of the living God.